AGRICULTURAL INOCULANTS CORPORATION

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CULTURAL PRACTICE FOR HONEY DEW (Cucumis melo)

A. Varietal Selection

1. It is recommended to use Jade Lady variety. because of its superior quality,

high sugar content, and relatively shorter maturity period (normally 65-70
days from planting).

2. This variety is normally grown between September to December, however, if

is harvested off-season e.g. September the price is higher. Wholesale buyers
are even suggesting that if Honey Dew is harvested sometime in July,
meaning it is planted sometime in May, it commands the highest price hence,
bigger income for the grower.

3. Other varieties e.g. Sweet World and Ilocos Gold are also suitable for
propagation in the country.

B. Site Selection and Soil Type

1. The area to be planted must be accessible to irrigation and not easily water
logged.

2. The type of soil must be from sandy loam to clay loam and essentially free of
nematodes and other harmful pests. If soil has history of harmful pests
fumigate by applying Furadan granules.

3. The optimal pH range is 6.5 to 7.5 (slightly acid to slightly alkaline).

C. Seedling Preparation

1. Since the seeds are very expensive ( P 5.35 each for the Jade Lady variety)
care must be practiced in growing the seedlings.

2. Prepare the potting mix by mixing thoroughly the following: 25 % field soil,
25 % decomposed rice hull or sawdust, 15 % fine sand and 35 % organic
fertilizer.
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3. Fill every plastic bag (Dimension: 2.5 in x 4.0 in) with the potting mix well
by pressing and shaking.

4. Put one seed in every plastic bag at a depth of 1.0 inch (about 2.5 cm).

5. Place them in a partially shaded area such as in a nursery then water well by
sprinkling carefully. Do not drench.

6. Good seeds will sprout within 3-4 days. Water sparingly using a fine mist.

7. The seedlings will be ready for planting within 15 days or if they have 6 to 8
true leaves.

8. Spray the seedlings with foliar fertilizer ( Dilution: 100 ml of the foliar
fertilizer mixed in 16 liters of water) at least 5 days before transplanting.

D. Land preparation and Planting

1. Prepare the planting area well by first plowing it to a depth of 20 to 30 cm

preferably using a large tractor so the desired depth can be achieved.

2. Harrow at least twice using a disc harrow drawn by a tractor. If the field is
full of weeds it is advisable to make three (3) passes of the harrow.

3. Dig holes about 30 cm in diameter and 30 cm depth at a distance of 1.5 meters

between hills as well as 1.5 meters between rows. This planting distance
allows for about 4450 holes per hectare.

4. Mix 2.0 bags (100 kg) of 14-14-14 complete fertilizer and 1 bag (50 kg) of
Urea ( 46-0-0) with 15 bags (750 kg) of organic fertilizer.

5. Put about 200 grams of the fertilizer mixture above in every hole then cover
with 3 to 4 cm soil.

6. Transplant one seedling per hole by first removing the plastic bag carefully
not to hurt the roots. After transplanting water the plants with 2 to 3 liters of
water.
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7. Watering is done 2-3 times a day depending on weather conditions. Try not to
hit the leaves when watering.

8. Look for any dead seedling/s. Replace it/them at once with the reserved
seedlings.

D. Care and Maintenance

1. For effective rat or rodent control apply 1.0 tablespoonful of Biorat (a

biological rodenticide) in places frequented by or in openings made by them
at 5-meter intervals around the field.

2. If weeds start to grow in the holes uproot them carefully so as not to hurt the
plants. Weeding is normally done at about 7 to 14 days after transplanting
(DAT).

3. Spray the leaves with 100 ml of foliar fertilizer mixed with 1% of urea (160
grams of urea dissolved in 16 liters of water or the contents of one knapsack
sprayer) at weekly intervals starting at 21 DAE up to 42 DAE except on the
35th day.

4. Spray the plants with flower inducer/ fruit developer on the 35th DAT using
the dilution of I kg of the foliar spray mixed with 200 liters of water or 80
grams of the foliar spray mixed in 16 liters of water.

5. Apply 10 to 15 grams of muriate of potash (0-0-60) fertilizer per hole when

the fruits are 5-6 cm in diameter (baseball size). This translates to about 1.25
bags of the fertilizer per hectare.

6. Thin out the first deformed fruits and leave only 2 to 3 healthy or vigorous
fruits per plant. It is also advisable to set the fruits on top of hay or straw to
avoid direct contact with the soil.

7. Spray the leaves with 100 ml of foliar fertilizer mixed with 1 % solution of
muriate of potash (160 grams of the fertilizer dissolved in 16 liters of water)
at 49 and 56 DAE.

8. The common pests and diseases of Honey Dew which can be effectively
controlled are as follows: thrips, aphids and spider mites with Profenofos or
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Cypermethrin; ladybird beetle and leafworm with Lannate or Dimotrin 50

WP; downy mildew, fruit rot and leaf spot with Copper fungicide or Dithane
M-45. These crop protection chemicals are compatible with the foliar
fertilizer spray, hence, they can all be mixed together to save on labor.

9. Watering of the growing plants must be done hole-by-hole at the rate of 2 to 3

liters per hole and as frequent as necessary. It is not advisable to irrigate the
field as it may adversely affect the plants.

E. Harvesting

1. For best eating quality, harvest the fruits upon reaching the right maturity
period (about 80 to 85 days after planting).

2. The fruits are ready for harvest when they produce a hallow sound when
thumped.

Cost and Return for One Hectare Honey Dew Production

1. Gross Income:

Projected Yield: 13,350 kg @ P 12.00/kg P 160,000.00

2. Operating Expenses:

2.1 Seedling Preparation

2.1.1 Labor: 8 MD @ P 150.00 P 1200.00
2.1.2 Watering: 4 MD @ P 150.00 600.00

2.2 Land Preparation

2.2.1 One Plowing P 1800.00
2.2.2 Three Harrowings @ P 700.00 2100.00

2.3 Transplanting
2.3.1 Digging Holes: 15 MD @ P 150.00 P 2225.00
2.3.2 Placement of Fertilizers: 8 MD @ P150.00 1200.00
2.3.3 Planting: 20 MD @ P 150.00 3000.00
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2.4 Care and Maintenance

2.4.1 Weeding: 6 MD @ P 150.00 P 900.00
2.4.2 Spraying: 6 MD @ P 150.00 900.00
2.4.3 Watering: 10 MD @ P 150.00 1500.00

2.5 Harvesting and Packing

2.5.1 Harvesting: 15 MD @ P 150.00 P 2250.00
2.5.2 Packing: 15 MD @ P 150.00 2250.00
Total for Labor Expenses P 19,925.00

2.6 Fertilizer Inputs

2.6.1 15 bags of Plantmate Organic Fertilizer @
P 165.00 per bag P 2475.00
2.6.2 2 bags Complete fertilizer (14-14-14) @
P 525.00/bag 1050.00
2.6.3 1.5 bags Urea (46-0-0) @ P 535.00/bag 802.00
2.6.4 2 bags Muriate of Potash ( 0-0-60) @ P 530.00/bag 1060.00
2.6.5 6 liters prime EC Foliar Fertilizer @ P165.00/liter 990.00
2.6.6 I Kg Prime EC Inducer/Fruit Developer 165.00
Total for Fertilizers P 6542.00

2.7 Crop Protection Chemicals

2.7.1 1 bottle MPD (1.8 liters) @ P 900.00 P 900.00
2.7.2 1 box Dithane M-45 @ P 790.00 790.00
2.7.3 1 bottle Cypermethrin @ P 800.00 800.00
2.7.4 1 bottle Formethanate @ P 750.00 750.00
Total for Crop Protection Chemicals P 3240.00

2.8 Seeds: 190 g (4860 seeds) @P 139.00/g P 26,400.00

2.9 Plastic Bags: 5000 pcs @ P 0.75/pc 3,750.00

Total for Expenses P 59,107.00

3.0 Expected Net Profit: P 160,000.00 – P 59,107.00 = P 100,893.00